Laminated steam hammer frame

ABSTRACT

THERE IS DISCLOSED A HAMMER WHEREIN THE FRAME OF THE HAMMER COMPRISES A SERIES OF SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL PLATES LAMINATED TOGETHER SO THAT THE FRAME IS UNITARY IN VERTICAL EXTENSION AND WHEREIN THE PLATE ARE JOINED TOGETHER AND CONNECTED BY TIE BOLTS. THE TIE BOLT COMPRISES A BOLT, NECKED DOWN BETWEEN ITS ENDS WHEREIN A SPLIT RESILIENT SLEEVE ENCIRCLES THE BOLT AND ENCIRCLING THE SPLIT RUBBER SLEEVE IN TURN IS A SECOND SPLIT SLEEVE. NUTS ARE ENGAGED ON THE END PORTION OF THE BOLT AND WHEN TURNED TIGHTLY ONTO THE END OF THE BOLT THE RESILIENT SLEEVE IS COMPRESSED, CAUSING THE STEEL SLEEVE TO EXPAND, THUS TYING THE ENTIRE LAMINATED FRAME TOGETHER. THE FRAME FURTHER COMPRISES A SHAPED SEAT IN THE LAMINATED FRAME TO HOUSE A SOW BLOCK WHICH MAY BE SEGMENTALLY CYCLINDRICAL OR MODIFIED SEGMENTALLY CYLINDRICAL IN SHAPE AND WHICH IS ANCHORED TO THE FRAME BY LOCKING MEMBERS.

Nov. 23, 1971 A. H. SWIFT LAMINATED STEAM HAMMER FRAME 2 Shoots-Shout 1 Filed June 12, 1969 Nov. 23, 1971 A. H. SWIFT 1311M LAMINATED STEAM HAMMER FRAME Filed June 12, 1969 2 Shccts-Shuut 1,

United States Patent O m ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a hammer wherein the frame of the hammer comprises a series of substantially identical plates laminated together so that the frame is unitary in vertical extension and wherein the plates are joined together and connected by tie bolts. The tie bolt comprises a bolt, necked down between its ends wherein a split resilient sleeve encircles the bolt and encircling the split rubber sleeve in turn is a second split sleeve. Nuts are engaged on the end portion of the bolt and when turned tightly onto the end of the bolt the resilient sleeve is compressed, causing the steel sleeve to expand, thus tying the entire laminated frame together. The frame further comprises a shaped seat in the laminated frame to house a sow block which may be segmentally cylindrical or modified segmentally cylindrical in shape and which is anchored to the frame by locking members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hammers and more particularly to steam hammers having a laminated frame and including a sow block which is segmentally cylin drical or modified segmentally cylindrical in shape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART One of the most critical problems confronting designers of steam hammers has been finding a suitable method for constructing an economical but strong frame and being able to provide a seat in the frame for a sow block which provides a :maximum hold-down leverage, maintains rigid alignment, and which effectively resists any tendency of the frames to rock sideways. Frames for conventional steam hammers utilize a there-part construction having a base section, a center section and a head section, all joined together at juncture plates and connected by spring loaded bolts. The parts are made from forged or cast steel and must be perfectly matched if they are to fit together and retain their accuracy. The frames must not rock or twist on the base and this means that the frame-to-base construction must hold the frame in rigid alignment when the blow is struck. The frame and the sow block are normally joined together by a keyed type of construction wherein the lips are on one side and the tongue in groove construction on the other. For realigning purposes, it has been conventional to utilize fiat steel liners. These liners provide means for taking up wear and restoring the alignment. They are normally dove-tailed to the base and can be replaced without disturbing the frames. Wedges have not been used, for while it is possible to align with wedges, it has heretofore been felt that it is also possible to misalign with them and that when wedges wear they lose their shape and their original full length bearing would be destroyed. The frame is then conventionally held to the base by some means of bolting. Where additional strength is required, the frame is cast with heavily ribbed sections. A need has been recognized for improving on this threepiece frame construction method. Heretofore, no suitable method has ever been proposed. In the art of presses and similarly small machines, a unitary laminated body struc- 3,621,703 Patented Nov. 23, 1971 ture has previously been used. However, no attempt has ever been made to incorporate this method into large steam hammers in that the steam hammer must sustain a higher ram velocity and more blows per minute than any other type of machine. While a laminated body has proved successful for presses and the like, it was not heretofore possible to incorporate this feature in a large steam hammer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The general purpose of this invention is to provide a hammer which embraces all of the advantages of similarly employed devices and possesses none of the aforede scribed disadvantages. To attain this, the present invention contemplates the utilization of a vertically integral laminated frame containing a shaped seat to house a sow block. The laminated plates are joined together by tie bolts. Each tie bolt comprises a bolt, necked down between its opposite ends. Encircling the tie bolt intermediate to its ends is a split resilient sleeve and encircling the split rubber sleeve in turn, is a second split sleeve. Threaded on either end of the tie bolts are nuts which have circular peripheries and the surfaces of these nuts engage flanged loading spacers and the inner sleeve portions of these loading spacers extend inside the spilt steel sleeves into engagement with the end surfaces of the split rubber sleeves. When the nuts are turned tightly onto the ends of the tie bolts, the resilient sleeve is compressed which in turn causes the second sleeve to expand, thus tying the entire laminated frame together both from its opposite ends of the nuts and radially from the tie bolts along their entire length. Seated within the shaped seat is a sow block. This sow block is keyed into the frame by locking members. The sow block may be segmentally cylindrical or modified segmentally cylindrical in shape which insures perfect alignment between the sow block and the frame and provides a radial path for dissipation of shock energies throughout the frame.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-segmented frame for a steam hammer.

Another object is to provide a steam hammer frame wherein alignment of the sow block is constantly maintained.

A further object of the invention is the position of wedge-shaped locking members to insure against movement of the sow block.

Another object is to provide a tie bolt that provides pressure from both ends as well as radially along the entire length.

Yet another object is to provide a steam hammer frame formed unitarily, from top to bottom, of forged or rolled steel lamina having tensile strengths of up to in the area of 100,000 p.s.i., whereby a greatly stronger frame affords a much longer service life.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a steam hammer that is economical to operate and provides a long service life.

A still further object is to provide a laminated steam hammer frame wherein the base and frame are of unitary construction, and the lamina are either of forged or rolled construction, providing great tensile strength.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the tie bolts utilized in FIG. 1 taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged section of the tie bolt taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the modified segmentally cylindrical sow block assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing the wedge-shaped key members shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 illustrates a segmentally cylindrical sow bloc-k assembly; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the wedge-shaped key members utilized in holding the sow block assembly of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates a preferred embodiment, a hammer 10 having a laminated frame 11, a ram 13, a safety cushion cylinder attached to hammer cylinder 19, and a conventional steam or air system 14 for driving the ram. The system 14 as well as the guide members for the ram are conventional and form no part of the instant invention. Frame 11 is of one-piece construction in vertical section and is designed so as to provide a shaped shoe seat 16 as a unitary part of the frame structure. Seated within the shoe seat 16 is modified segmentally cylindrical sow block assembly 30. Both the ram 13 and the sow block 30 are grooved to accept conventional dies. Referring now to FIG. 2, taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, it is seen that frame 11 comprises a series of substantially identical plates 12 laminated together so that the frame is unitary in vertical extension. The plates may be made of steel or any other suitable material. The plates are tied together by numerous tie bolts 20 as to form a unitary frame structure. While FIG. 2 shows five laminated sections 1 2, this is only one embodiment, and any number of individual plates can be utilized within the scope of this invention. For example, a typical plate for a fivethousand (5,000) pound hammer might be 10 /2 inches thick. The utilization of a laminated frame allows for the unitary vertical construction so as to provide a shaped seat for a sow block as an integral part of the frame, thereby obviating the prior art limitation of having a separate base portion, center portion and head portion which had to be connected together, inherently causing an alignment problem.

The tie bolt utilized in holding together the laminated sections is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. Tie bolt 20 comprises a bolt 21, necked down between its ends is a split resilient sleeve 24. Encircling the split resilient sleeve 24 in turn is a second split sleeve 23. In one preferred embodiment, resilient sleeve 24 is rubber while split sleeve 23 is steel. However, any similar materials may be used. FIG. 4 shows split 28 of sleeve 23, greatly enlarged. Threaded on either end of bolt 21 are threads 22 having a nut 17 on either end. The surfaces of these nuts 17 engage a loading spacer 27. Loading spacer 27 engages resilient sleeve 24. When nuts 17 are turned tightly onto the ends of the bolts 21, the resilient sleeve 24 is compressed by loading spacer 2.7 on either end thus causing sleeve 23 to expand. Washers 25 and springs 26 are provided between nut 17 and the laminated plates 12 to aid in the compression of resilient sleeve 24. A fabrica bearing 29 may encircle each of the nuts 17 to dampen vibration and minimize fatigue wear.

The tightening of the nuts 17 and the resulting expansion of tie bolts 20 in cooperation with the laminated plates 12 provides for a strong frame which is not subject to twisting or misalignment. Tie bolt 20 supplies both lineal and radial pressure to hold plates 12 together. Heretofore, no suitable bolting means has been available to firmly hold together a laminated section as 7 large as that required in a steam. hammer whose impact and vibration are so great.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a modified segmentally cylindrical sow block assembly 30 whichis seated in a shoe seat 16 in the laminated frame as shown in FIG. 1. A preferred embodiment of the sow block assembly comprises two parts, the shoe 31 having a shape to correspond with that of the shoe seat 16 and a sow block 32 being segmentally cylindrical in shape and fitting into segmentally cylindrical depression 18 in shoe 31. Sow block assembly 30 is keyed into the frame by key members 33 and 34 on either side. The key members have key blocks 38 and 39, respectively, disposed transversely of them at their mid-sections, and these key blocks 38 and 39 drop into identical key slots in both the opposite sides of the sow block and the side walls of the shoe seat -16. Once key members 33 and 34-are in place, generally segmentally cylindrical locking members 35 are wedged into the remaining opening between the sow block assembly 30 and the frame such that the key members are wedged in place as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opposed surfaces of the key members 33 and 34 and locking members 35 are relatively inclined so that a wedging efiect takes place when the locking members are inserted. To fix the locking members in place, once they have been wedged into position, retainer pins 36 and 37 are inserted in appropriately formed slots on the opposed faces of the key members 33 and 34 and locking members 35. This construction provides a sow block assembly which is rigidly in place, which is not subject to misalignment and which is easy to manufacture.

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal view of key member 33 having a key block 38 and segmentally cylindrical locking member 35 as well as locking pin 37. From this view, the general wedge shape of members 33 and 35 can easily be seen. FIG. 7 shows key member 34, segmentally cylindrical locking wedge member 35 and locking pin 36.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the sow block assembly. Segmentally cylindrical sow block assembly 40 comprises a circular cylindrical shaped sow block 42 seated in a correspondingly shaped seat 48 in laminated frame 12. Sow block 42 replaces shoe 31 and sow block 32 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The sow block is keyed to the frame in a manner similar to that described above. It is keyed into the frame 12 by identical key members 44. The key members have key blocks 46 disposed transversely of them at their mid-sections, and these key blocks drop into identical key slots in both the opposite sides of the sow block and the side walls of the sow block seat. Once these key members are dropped in place, generally segmentally cylindrical locking members 45 are wedged into slots provided in the frame, thus locking the key members in place. The opposed surfaces of the key members and locking members are relatively inclined as shown in FIG. 9, so that a wedging effect takes place when the locking members are inserted therein. To fix the locking members in place, once they have been wedged into position, retainer pins 47 are inserted in appropriately formed slots on the opposed faces of the key members and locking members as shown in FIG. 9.

By utilizing the above construction, it is possible to laminate a hammer the full length, top to bottom using forged or rolled plate with heat treating and quenching to produce a much tougher frame with strength up to 100,000 p.s.i. This compares with approximately 40,000 p.s.i. on a forged or cast base hammer as conventionally utilized in the prior art. Utilizing the tie bolts disclosed above to hold together the laminated portions completely eliminates the prior art method of utilizing a separate base section, center section and head section joined together at juncture plates and connected by spring loaded bolts, which inherently caused misaligning problems. It is also readily apparent that the use of a segmentally cylindrical or modified segmentally cylindrical shaped sow block assembly causes the load to be distributed on a large radius, thus eliminating corners and eliminating the inherent stress weaknesses. Utilizing segmentally cylindrical and modified segmentally cylindrical sow block assemblies in a hammer configuration wherein the entire frame is laminated allows for designs which permit large or small hammers to be built on the same proportions, scaled to fit weight and utilizing this construction reduces the maintenance required because bolts and springs which are conventionally used between the base and column, columns and tie plates, and tie plates and cylinder are eliminated.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure describes only preferred embodiments of the invention and that numerous modifications or alternations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A laminated hammer having a frame unitary in vertical extension comprising:

(a) a plurality of parallel plates;

(b) bolting means for securing said parallel plates together forming a laminate frame;

( c) a seat in said plates;

((1) shoe means conforming to the shape of and mounted in said seat;

(e) a segmentally cylindrical depression within said shoe means;

(f) segmentally cylindrical shaped sow block means mounted in said depression; and

(g) locking means securing said sow block means to said shoe means and to said laminate frame.

2. A laminated hammer frame unitary in vertical extension, comprising:

(a) a series of vertically disposed, parallel plates sandwiched together to form a laminate frame,

(b) bolting means extending through said laminate frame and securing said plates together by providing axial pressure on said plates from opposite ends of said bolting means and radial pressure along the length of said bolting means,

(c) seat means in said laminate frame,

(d) sow block means positioned in said seat means,

and

(e) locking means for securing said sow block means in said laminate frame.

3. A sow block assembly for use in a hammer having a seat within the hammer frame, the improvement comprising:

(a) segmentally cylindrical shaped sow block means mounted in said seat;

(b) locking means for securing said segmentally cylindrical shaped sow block means to said frame;

(c) said locking means including a plurality of locking members with each locking member comprising a key member having an extension portion;

(d) each key member being placed in contact with said sow block means;

(e) said extension portion of each key member being aligned with a corresponding slot on said frame; and

(f) a segmentally cylindrical Wedge-shaped member for securing each of said key members in a corresponding slot whereby to secure said sow block means in said frame.

4. The laminated hammer frame of claim 2 wherein said bolting means comprises:

(a) a bolt having threaded ends;

(b) a split resilient sleeve encircling said bolt;

() a second split sleeve encircling said resilient sleeve;

(d) spacing members placed on either end of said bolt; and

ill

(e) nuts engaged on either end. of said bolt to provide said axial pressure from opposite ends of said bolt to said spacing members and onto said frame and to provide expansion of said steel sleeve thereby causing said radial pressure on said frame.

5. A tie bolt assembly to secure parallel plates into a laminate structure providing axial and radial pressure to said plates, comprising:

(a) a bolt having threaded ends;

(b) a split resilient sleeve encircling said bolt;

(c) a second split sleeve encircling said resilient sleeve;

(d) spacing members placed on either end of said bolt;

and

(e) nuts engaged on either end of said bolt to provide said axial pressure from opposite ends of said bolt to said spacing members and onto said frame and to provide expansio-n of said second sleeve thereby causing said radial pressure to secure said plates.

6. A sow block assembly for use in a hammer having a seat within the hammer frame, the improvement comprising:

(a) shoe means shaped to conform to the shape of said seat;

(b) a segmentally cylindrical depression in said shoe means;

(c) segmentally cylindrical shaped sow block means mounted in said depression; and

(d) locking means to secure said sow block means to said shoe means and to said frame.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises:

(a) a first locking member for securing said sow block means to said shoe means;

(b) a second locking member for securing said shoe means to said frame;

(c) said first and second locking members each comprising a key member having an extension portion;

((1) said key member extension of said first locking member being aligned with a first slot in said shoe means;

(e) said key member extension of said second locking member being aligned with a second slot in said frame member; and

(f) a wedge shaped member for securing said first and second key members to said first and second slots, respectively, thereby securing: said sow block means and said shoe means to said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,416,058 2/ 1947 Mangnall -269 2,456,480 12/1948 Austin 189-36 F 2,828,095 3/1958 Beck 189-36 F 3,013,643 12/1961 Perry 189-36 F 3,043,167 7/1962 Robbins 72-455 3,145,648 8/1964 Murek 100-264 3,302,445 2/1967 Muller 72-455 3,523,445 8/1970 Pennington 72-453 3,526,188 9/1970 Carlsson 100-257 FOREIGN PATENTS 644,980 10/1950 Great Britain 100-214 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 72-453; 100-214 

